2009 Christmas budget: presents

Presents: $165

• 5 siblings (3 on each side, including in-laws): $15 each

Having a smaller budget forces creativity. Our families are generous at the holidays, so I try to put a lot of thought into our small-budget presents. This year, I'm thinking social calling cards for a recently moved sibling, a cute photo album and photo-printing credit to the sibling that just got back from abroad, possibly a small craft project including ticket stubs from the very early 90s for a music-loving sibling. The two that are living somewhere in the Indian Ocean, they're the hard ones.
$90 total

• Parents (only 3 living): $10 each

They might say they don't need anything, but it's easy to be thoughtful with parental presents. Usually, if you involve photos already printed, you're golden.
$30 total

• My gift exchange at work: $25

I work for a small, close-knit company, and we draw names for holiday presents. There's no rule on amount, and some spend more than others, but $20 to $25 is the general guideline. Last year, I spent $20 and felt cheap. Granted, money was tight, and I sewed an adorable little pouch to enclose the gift card, but I can do $25 this year.Even if it is the single largest line-item present in our budget.

• Prized nephew: $20

I made him an awesome toy last year, spent $16.37, and I'm not sure what to do this year, especially since it's our second in a row  at home, which is not where he lives. Regardless, he gets the most money allocated of any family.

Inexpensive present ideas

• Homemade ornaments, look to CraftyPod for ideas.
• A letter saying why you love that particular person and favorite memories of them.
• Scan in old photos and send prints to everyone in pictures.
• Wine stopper
• A Do-It-Yourself Christmas, from Get Rich Slowly in 2008

Ghost of Christmas Past

Last year, I budgeted $210 and spent $278.61.

• $80 for 4 adults and 1 child on my side, spent $99.68
• $110 for 7 adults, spent $114.49
• Didn't budget for each other, spent $36.87
• Didn't budget for wrapping presents, spent $7.57
• $20 secret santa at my work

Totals do not include significant gift card usage from cards I had saved throughout the year, but I have included shipping costs.

Update 11/19/09: Lifehacker has an awesome spreadsheet gift planner. Check it out!

2009 Holiday Budget main post

2009 Holiday Budget: making it jolly